It was with considerable glee that I finally made it for lunch at Leo’s Beanery, after a series of near misses, where I’d been distracted, most recently by Papavero, on the way. I had previously popped in for coffee but this was the first eating visit.

Exterior

A compact and cosy New Town basement, it’s very smartly appointed, with warm wood and quirky detailing. The service is effusively welcoming and attentive. I found the place very crowded, with a busy lunchtime service in full swing. Still, there was a nice relaxed atmosphere amid the hustle and bustle.

I opted for dishes from the daily specials board, choosing a ham and leek pie, and a wee cup of winter vegetable soup on the side. The lovely waitress thoroughly approved of these choices, which I took to be a good sign, and so it proved.

Interior

My dish arrived promptly, and looked very smart. The pie looked plenty hot enough, so I attended to the brightly hued soup, first. It proved a very good winter warmer, so the perfect fit for a rather chilly day.

The pie was every bit as good, with a profusion of beautifully tender chunks of ham, in a lovely creamy sauce. The pastry could have used an extra couple of minutes to brown a little more, but this was a minor quibble with what was an impressive dish.

Pie and soup

So overall, I thought Leo’s Beanery was entirely lovely. I really liked the premises, and the atmosphere was delightfully chilled for such a busy place. I’d strongly recommend a visit, particularly when you’re looking for hearty home-made goodness, to chase away the cold.

Scores
Blythe scores Leo’s Beanery
4/5 for food
4/5 for presentation
4.5/5 for setting
4/5 for service
giving an overall 16.5/20

I ate: ham and leek pie; winter vegetable soup

I drank: water

I wore: stripy scarf

Total bill: £9.90